Week 3 thoughts

[jesterondirt]

"We are not a bad team, we have the ingredients to win a lot of ball games"

This is what I said to myself while leaving the stadium today. And after I said it I immediately had Deja vu. I experienced this feeling before while leaving Darrel K Royal last season.

It didnt change my mind though, ive watched enough of our team to realize we nearly have what it takes to compete with any team on our schedule. What are we missing? It feels like its never the same thing every single game. What one thing is a constant everytime we lose? I dont have an answer.

Im ending with this, I hope things start bouncing our way this year. Ive seen enough from this team that I truly believe we could compete for the west in the AAC with these players

P.S. I love me some Keylon Stokes

 

[maverickfp]

Just need a coach. The players are there.

 

[TU Guy]

Just need a coach. The players are there.

Agree. The team looks unmotivated, undisciplined and lacks toughness.....all attributes that in most cases are a reflection of the coaching staff. Also, the offensive play calling seems unimaginative and predictable.

 

[goldenhurricane2]

The undisciplined stuff is what gets me. You don’t have to be talented to have discipline. That’s on game prep/culture.

 

[TU Guy]

The undisciplined stuff is what gets me. You don’t have to be talented to have discipline. That’s on game prep/culture.

Yep

 

[Hurricane Drummer]

Agree. The team looks unmotivated, undisciplined and lacks toughness.....all attributes that in most cases are a reflection of the coaching staff. Also, the offensive play calling seems unimaginative and predictable.

I have to disagree about the motivation and toughness part, but totally agree on the undisciplined portion. This has been a problem off and on for about 3 or 4 years now.

 

[Weatherdemon]

I have to disagree about the motivation and toughness part, but totally agree on the undisciplined portion. This has been a problem off and on for about 3 or 4 years now.

Easy math:

From Hines:
Tulsa's 17 penalties today match a program record (SMU, 2016; Kansas State, 1951).

 

[jesterondirt]

Easy math:

From Hines:
Tulsa's 17 penalties today match a program record (SMU, 2016; Kansas State, 1951).

Wow, wonder how the yardage compares.

 

[jesterondirt]

I need a suggestion. So on the way to the game today I was reminded that next Saturday is my wife's family reunion. And of course we have a home game with Wyoming.

She then reminded me that we attended my family reunion just a week ago (away game in Cali, no big deal).

So as for suggestions, whats a good hotel for Saturday, possibly even Sunday until the dust settles at home?

 

[Babe the Blue Ox_rivals]

I need a suggestion. So on the way to the game today I was reminded that next Saturday is my wife's family reunion. And of course we have a home game with Wyoming.

She then reminded me that we attended my family reunion just a week ago (away game in Cali, no big deal).

So as for suggestions, whats a good hotel for Saturday, possibly even Sunday until the dust settles at home?

Enjoy the reunion.

 

[T.U.HoopsFan]

"What are we missing? It feels like its never the same thing every single game. What one thing is a constant everytime we lose? I dont have an answer.

Depth comes to mind for me. We always have great players, but there is a noticeable difference between the starters and reserves.

Today was a fun game. It was nice to think for a short while we were goIng beat OSU. I am a horrible fan. I use to be rabid Tulsa fan...I still love TU sports, but my expectations are not as high as they once were. Funny how losing can affect your outlook.

 

[Hurricane Drummer]

My week 3 thoughts...

If we fix the slew of penalties, particularly by the O line, we can get to a bowl game this season.

We've hung with some pretty good "P5" teams. We're close. Just gotta fix the little things to get over the hump.

 

[jesterondirt]

Enjoy the reunion.

 

[maverickfp]

My week 3 thoughts...

If we fix the slew of penalties, particularly by the O line, we can get to a bowl game this season.

We've hung with some pretty good "P5" teams. We're close. Just gotta fix the little things to get over the hump.

You honestly don't think Monty is the problem? I guaran-dam-tee you that Monty won't do jack crack on those guys for discipline this week. Shamari shouldn't see the first 2 drives next week for that stupid, undisciplined chop block. Our DBs should run til they puke this week for never turning around and trying to play the ball and getting multiple PI penalties. Our Oline...ugh the Oline. I'm not sure whats a good punishment for them.

We had nearly more penalty yardage than OSU had passing yards!111!1!!!111!

How the eff is that even possible?!!?!

 

[Lumpuckeroo]

Agree. The team looks unmotivated, undisciplined and lacks toughness.....all attributes that in most cases are a reflection of the coaching staff. Also, the offensive play calling seems unimaginative and predictable.

Your dead wrong about about not being motivated or tough, but correct on undisciplined .

 

[red dirt]

We are in trouble if Smith gets hurt and they put Boomer in. No way Boomer is better than Brin.

 

[TUDog]

OSU made adjustments on defense, we couldn't figure out what they did or couldn't adjust to their changes. That's on coaching

 

[Hurricane Drummer]

You honestly don't think Monty is the problem? I guaran-dam-tee you that Monty won't do jack crack on those guys for discipline this week. Shamari shouldn't see the first 2 drives next week for that stupid, undisciplined chop block. Our DBs should run til they puke this week for never turning around and trying to play the ball and getting multiple PI penalties. Our Oline...ugh the Oline. I'm not sure whats a good punishment for them.

We had nearly more penalty yardage than OSU had passing yards!111!1!!!111!

How the eff is that even possible?!!?!

So much hate right here. I'm glad you're not the TU coach.

 

[TigerCane16]

What I liked about the 2nd quarter was that for the first time in almost 3 years, Monty came off as an astute play caller. I totally disagree with not trying to make something happen with a gassed OSU D, over 1 min. on the clock, and a set of timeouts, though. Score so much as a field goal on that drive, then come out attacking and put another drive together to open the half and this is likely a different day for all of us. Zach has shown signs of being the QB that earned himself a chance as a starter at Baylor, and Monty STILL wants to lean on the run when it isn't there. The QB, receivers, and (for the most part) the TU D played great yesterday; yet, for some reason he seems to think you cannot win unless the RB's are the hero of the day. I remember I used to be irked at Gus and Chad for some of their schemes, but even Gus' red zone Wildcat stupidity at Arkansas(?) looks brilliant compared to this predictable garbage. I think Monty could benefit from having a dedicated OC on staff.

 

[red dirt]

Shamari is pretty good but we are more effective with the other two backs. They are stronger and more physical.

 

[TUMe]

So much hate right here. I'm glad you're not the TU coach.

You still don't understand. Nobody hates Monty. He was welcomed and and well thought of, but the fifth year he is still doing things that didn't work before and they aren't working again. He is a underperforming employee of The University of Tulsa. Next week or next year will not fix that. And that is the real world.

 

[noble cane]

Easy math:

From Hines:
Tulsa's 17 penalties today match a program record (SMU, 2016; Kansas State, 1951).

I think that was at least 180 yds worth.. especially counting negated gains.. assuming that the average drive starts on the 35.. thats almost 3 td drives worth of yardage.. admittedly not all were on offense, but still 21 points one way or the other..

 

[mcane]

Smith said he had a small stinger around his neck and should be ready to play next week. Boomer looked worse than I remember in his two series.

 

[tupatsfan]

Smith said he had a small stinger around his neck and should be ready to play next week. Boomer looked worse than I remember in his two series.

Boomer just flat out isn’t good.

 

[red dirt]

Boomer needs to go to a lower level. Not even close to talented enough for D1

 

[rusty-c]

Boomer needs to go to a lower level. Not even close to talented enough for D1

If I'm him and not going to play beyond college, I'd stay and get my Tulsa degree over one from directional state university. Great kid to have in the program.

 

[quincy101]

We won't be facing the likes of a Chubby Hubby again this year, although a couple of opposing QB's may tear us up. Very disappointed in the lack of halftime adjustments. And the penalties are beginning to really pi$$ me off. Also on coaching as well as players. Monty should threaten to bench any player who continues to commit same old penalties whether starter or not. Prolly won't happen.

 

[TU_BLA]

You honestly don't think Monty is the problem? I guaran-dam-tee you that Monty won't do jack crack on those guys for discipline this week. Shamari shouldn't see the first 2 drives next week for that stupid, undisciplined chop block. Our DBs should run til they puke this week for never turning around and trying to play the ball and getting multiple PI penalties. Our Oline...ugh the Oline. I'm not sure whats a good punishment for them.

We had nearly more penalty yardage than OSU had passing yards!111!1!!!111!

How the eff is that even possible?!!?!

I am giving the DBs a pass on the pass interference calls. I think that may have been part of the game plan. Don't let Wallace beat us...don't let him catch the ball. He was pretty frustrated almost the entire game because of that tactic. So was Sanders. Chop blocks happen....it's just weird that it came from a RB. I would like to see a replay and see what Shamari saw and just how "engaged" the OL was with the defender.

The consistent false starts and the ineligible receiver downfield on the OL are driving me crazy. I wonder if the latter is something OSU pointed out to the officiating crew before the game because our OL has to sell everyone play as a potential running play and in order to do that the OL has to fire off and drive off the snap which usually puts them a yard or 2 downfield. The false starts are pure lack of focus. It can be helped if we lined up and ran the damn play instead of forcing 5 300+lb guys to stand motionless for 30 seconds. I bet that is more taxing than firing off the ball and blocking someone.

 

[drboobay]

Yes the dbs did a good job overall. Broke up a lot of plays and interfered where they could not.

It's not cheating to interfere. Part of the rules.

 

[lawpoke87]

I am giving the DBs a pass on the pass interference calls. I think that may have been part of the game plan. Don't let Wallace beat us...don't let him catch the ball. He was pretty frustrated almost the entire game because of that tactic. So was Sanders. Chop blocks happen....it's just weird that it came from a RB. I would like to see a replay and see what Shamari saw and just how "engaged" the OL was with the defender.
.

Anytime you have a RB taking out the knees of a defensive tackle on the passing play you're going to risk a penalty for a chop block. The DT was being blocked by the OG but from the angle I couldn't tell if at the second Shamari made contact there was engagement. Probably shouldn't matter as taking out a DT legs whose engaged or was engaged a split second before with an offensive lineman is a dangerous play and should be avoided.

 

[astonmartin708_rivals]

I would just like to apologize. I missed the first part of the game as I was busy doing a repair on my house.... checked the score and it was already 14-0.... So I went to home depot for some materials. Checked my score again and saw it was 21-20!

Hightailed it home to catch the end of the 2nd quarter and the second half..... when I started watching, we started sucking... it's my fault guys. I'm sorry.

 

[TU_BLA]

I would just like to apologize. I missed the first part of the game as I was busy doing a repair on my house.... checked the score and it was already 14-0.... So I went to home depot for some materials. Checked my score again and saw it was 21-20!

Hightailed it home to catch the end of the 2nd quarter and the second half..... when I started watching, we started sucking... it's my fault guys. I'm sorry.

Bet your gonna try to blame Haith for part of it too (j/k...just a little ribbing)

 

[Fmr'Cane16]

Didn’t see the penalty but usually when a RB is caught chopping it’s on a slide protection where he is picking up the DE in quick game. Don’t normally see a RB picking up an interior DL. That’s a helluva responsibility for a 200lb RB if it’s actually drawn up that way. I’d be cutting that guy too.

 

[TU_BLA]

Anytime you have a RB taking out the knees of a defensive tackle on the passing play you're going to risk a penalty for a chop block. The DT was being blocked by the OG but from the angle I couldn't tell if at the second Shamari made contact there was engagement. Probably shouldn't matter as taking out a DT legs whose engaged or was engaged a split second before with an offensive lineman is a dangerous play and should be avoided.

RBs going ow on blocks is pretty standard when they're trying to block someone 75-100 lbs heavier than they are.

 

[astonmartin708_rivals]

RBs going ow on blocks is pretty standard when they're trying to block someone 75-100 lbs heavier than they are.

It wasn't the problem that he went low, it was a problem that the D-lineman was already engaged by our O-lineman and Shamari came in and cut him right as he was coming off the O-lineman's block. It was honestly similar to something Navy might get called for, and it was the rightful call. I did feel like the refs were making a ton of ticky tacky calls, but that wasn't one of them.

Our problem was that we refused to pass on first down early in the 3rd quarter. We had a similar starting position to OSU who completed the deep ball to Wallace from the 10 yard line to basically ice the game. But we run-run-pass.

We also had Shamari trying to bounce the play to the outside everytime the OSU offense got through our run-blocks and he kept losing yardage. He needs to be coached to just eat the no-gain instead of costing us yards. I've never seen him be successful when bouncing a run outside the tackle like that. I also thought it was weird when we didn't play Wilkerson at all early in the 3rd. To top that off, Smith was really inaccurate in the second half. He overthrew nearly every ball.

 

[lawpoke87]

RBs going ow on blocks is pretty standard when they're trying to block someone 75-100 lbs heavier than they are.

Not typically on passing plays with interior DL who are being blocked by an OG. There's not an issue with a back going low on a blitzing LB or DE coming free off the edge. I don't know what Shamari's assignment was on that play but it looked like he stayed in to pass protect. The DL had a step on the OG and was headed up field with the OG trying to push him wide of the pocket. Shamari correctly picked the DL up. Just should have assisted the OG in blocking him out instead of going low. To be fair to Shamari, you don't normally expect to have to pick up the DT. Thought he did a nice job of recognizing the need and got to him very quickly. Just went too low.

The OL downfield on passing plays were the interesting calls imo. Don't think I've ever seen that penalty called that number of times in a game. The calls looked correct by the letter of the ruling just a bit picky.

 

[TU_BLA]

It wasn't the problem that he went low, it was a problem that the D-lineman was already engaged by our O-lineman and Shamari came in and cut him right as he was coming off the O-lineman's block. It was honestly similar to something Navy might get called for, and it was the rightful call. I did feel like the refs were making a ton of ticky tacky calls, but that wasn't one of them.

Our problem was that we refused to pass on first down early in the 3rd quarter. We had a similar starting position to OSU who completed the deep ball to Wallace from the 10 yard line to basically ice the game. But we run-run-pass.

We also had Shamari trying to bounce the play to the outside everytime the OSU offense got through our run-blocks and he kept losing yardage. He needs to be coached to just eat the no-gain instead of costing us yards. I've never seen him be successful when bouncing a run outside the tackle like that. I also thought it was weird when we didn't play Wilkerson at all early in the 3rd. To top that off, Smith was really inaccurate in the second half. He overthrew nearly every ball.

The ineligible linemen downfield killed us 3 times. That almost never gets called in college and certainly not in that quantity. I'm not doubting the call against Shamari it just happened at an inopportune time.

We all know that Monty needs to be less predictable in play calling. More play action on 1st down and you're right, the 1st 3 series of the 2nd half were all predictable like last season. I feel in the latter portion of the 3Q and the 4Q he finally opened it up a bit more but that's after Smith lost his passing rhythm and we say high throws and wide throws. Stokes and Crawford were open a bunch. The other play that was open and would have been the perfect counter to OSU stacking things was the little half back curl to Brooks. Monty stopped calling it after Brooks dropped the one that would have gone for a big gain.

Monty is also at fault for only game planning 2 RBs into the playbook for any given game. Wilkerson has proven he should be getting 10 touches per game and should be the back of choice on any 2nd or 3rd and short play. I have yet to see Wilkerson get stuffed (knock on wood).

This team seriously has enough talent to run the table but the discipline and coaching have got to be much better for that to happen.

 

[TU_BLA]

The OL downfield on passing plays were the interesting calls imo. Don't think I've ever seen that penalty called that number of times in a game. The calls looked correct by the letter of the ruling just a bit picky.

Exactly. And it's not like Smith was standing back there for 6-7 seconds and they figured he was running so they should get out in front and help. These were pretty standard 5 or 7 step drops and the ball cam out pretty quickly. They weren't even screen passes where they released a fraction too soon (and it doesn't matter if the ball is thrown behind the LOS).

 

[lawpoke87]

Exactly. And it's not like Smith was standing back there for 6-7 seconds and they figured he was running so they should get out in front and help. These were pretty standard 5 or 7 step drops and the ball cam out pretty quickly. They weren't even screen passes where they released a fraction too soon (and it doesn't matter if the ball is thrown behind the LOS).

I was playing soccer dad Saturday afternoon so I watched the game on tape delay when I got home. I had the advantage of knowing the lineman downfield calls so I watched for them on the broadcast. I got the feeling that it was something the officials were alerted to before the game.

 

[nevadanatural]

Watch your replay again. Early in the game the refs stopped play for no apparent reason and the ref went over and talked to Gundy for awhile. Shortly after that we got the first lineman downfield call. I’ve seen coaches bitching at linesmen and back judges before but I’ve never seen the ref stop play to go consult with the visiting coach before. Linemen frequently end up beyond the line of scrimmage on a pass play. Normally that call is only made if the lineman gets around 5 or more yards downfield or interferes with the play in some fashion. That wasn’t the case in this game.